The CyberSangha Podcast

The Breath Within — How Breath Practices Awaken the Spirit and What Science Says About the Benefits

Episode 56 · Series 3 — A Year of Body, Speech & Mind
With Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor, Paul Dallaghan, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and Alejandro Chaoul-Reich
For millennia, yogis have made the breath an integral part of spiritual practice. Even the simple, intimate practice of breath awareness can help us to quickly silence thoughts, calm nerves, soothe anger, and dispel fear. In a live CyberSangha broadcast, invited presenters look at pranayama and other breath practices from Ashtanga, Tibetan, and other forms of yoga. The group will also share scientific interpretations of what goes on as we bring light to our sacred bodies.

The Mind-Brain Debate: ‘Why Do We Have a Brain, Anyway?'

Episode 55 · Series 3 — A Year of Body, Speech & Mind
With James Duffy, Charles Raison, and Alejandro Chaoul-Reich
If you’ve ever felt like you’ve lost your mind, you’re not alone — even top scientists remain uncertain of the mind’s location. Based on both contemplative science and anecdotal evidence from direct meditative experience, researchers are reconsidering the relationship between the brain and the mind. In a live online discussion, James Duffy, Charles Raison, and host Alejandro Chaoul-Reich discuss the role of the physical nervous system according to modern science and ancient Tibetan wisdom. The CyberSangha broadcast is part of “A Year of Body, Speech, and Mind,” a free 2021 online program of live teachings, practices, and science & spirituality dialogs. Learn more

Beyond Pain Mind: How to Know It, How to Heal It

Episode 54 · Series 3 — A Year of Body, Speech & Mind
With Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
Before we can experience the joy of recognizing our true nature — the larger sense of self that is open, spacious, and fully perfected — we must recognize our smaller self: the “pain mind” that is continually dominated by emotions, mental images, and scattered thoughts. In a live online broadcast, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche explains the pain mind and teaches a meditation practice for healing and moving beyond it. This broadcast is part of “A Year of Body, Speech, and Mind,” a free 2021 online program of live teachings, practices, and science & spirituality dialogs. Learn more

The Breath of Life: Health Benefits of Breath Control in Yoga & Meditation

Episode 53 · Series 3 — A Year of Body, Speech & Mind
With Ruth Wolever, Richard Rosen, and host Alejandro Chaoul-Reich
Pranayama, or the ancient practice of breath control in yoga and other meditative traditions, plays a crucial role in linking body and mind. Modern research also suggests that certain breathing techniques can promote physical wellbeing, and perhaps even aid in preventing and managing lung ailments such as those associated with COVID-19. The fifth in a series of 2021 Science & Spirituality Dialogs on wellness of body, breath, and mind, this online broadcast is part of a free yearlong online program. Learn more

Beyond Pain Speech: How to Know It, How to Heal It

Episode 52 · Series 3 — A Year of Body, Speech & MindWith Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
Are you voicing your words from a space of vibrant, open awareness? Or, from a place of pain? Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche explains how to know when pain speech is active in you; how to connect with it; and ultimately, how to transcend it. This broadcast is part of “A Year of Body, Speech, and Mind,” a free 2021 online program of live teachings, practices, and science & spirituality dialogs. Learn more

How the Body Awakens: From Physical Relaxation to Embodied Awareness

Episode 51 · Series 3 — A Year of Body, Speech & Mind
With Cyndi Lee · Dr. Jeff Dussek · Geshe Tenzin Wangyal · Alejandro Chaoul-Reich
This conversation brings together leaders in contemplative science, integrative medicine, and Tibetan meditation to explore how embodied awareness supports healing, resilience, and meaningful change in daily life. Through personal stories and grounded practice insights, the dialogue turns toward the body as a source of wisdom, the voice as a bridge between inner and outer worlds, and the mind as a space of openness, compassion, and creative response.
The guests reflect on pain, health, burnout, and belonging through the lenses of Tibetan yoga, neuroscience, emotional awareness, and micro-practices drawn from lived experience and years of research. What emerges is a simple but challenging invitation: to meet experience directly — in the body, in relationship, and in community — and to allow practice to shape how we move into the future.
Featured themes include:
Embodied awareness, somatic presence, and mind–body integration
Pain, illness, and healing within contemplative and medical contexts
Tibetan yoga, meditation, and everyday micro-practices
Emotional awareness, compassion, and nervous-system regulation
Contemplative science, neuroscience, and lived spiritual practice
Listen, subscribe, and explore more conversations and resources at cybersangha.net.

Beyond the Pain Body: How to Know It, How to Heal It

Episode 50, Series 3: "A Year of Body, Speech & Mind"
Featuring: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
Our true self is an open, vibrant state of clear awareness. But whenever negative emotions are triggered in us, we tend to dissociate from who we truly are and to take on a ‘pain body,’ or pain-related identity. In a live Internet broadcast, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche explains how to know when our pain body is active; how to connect with it; and ultimately, how to transcend it.

Emotional Balance and Meditation: a Synergistic Relationship

Episode 49, Series 3: "A Year of Body, Speech & Mind"
Featuring: Eve Ekman, Elisa Kozasa, Geshe Tenzin Wangyal, and Alejandro Chaoul-Reich
Meditation can contribute to our emotional health. At the same time, a level of emotional balance is necessary for us to move past our worries and agitation and rest deeply in meditation. In the third of a series of 2021 Science & Spirituality Dialogs, invited panelists explore the close relationship between emotional balance and meditation, and discuss how psychological interventions can complement meditation practice. The dialog is part of a free yearlong online program related to body, speech, and mind. Learn more